There are too many animals being brought into the shelter, pushing the facility to be unusually full, according to Tracy Keith, executive director of the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS). Keith said while she expects a backlog of animals during the spring and summer months, there are often fewer animals dropped off during the fall. “It’s pretty normal to get really full over the summer. You know, people are on vacation, they’re not adopting as much, there are lots of puppies and kittens being born, that sort of thing,” she said. “Once school is back and we’re getting into September – definitely by now – things have sort of stabilized a bit more and it just hasn’t happened this year.” Keith can’t put her finger on why there has been an uptick of animals needing homes. Adoptions have been stable but more animals keep filling in. “We have had puppies and kittens – they started early this year – and still seem to be continuously coming in,” Keith said. “We just have more animals than usual so we need more adopters than usual...There seems to be a never-ending supply, especially of cats.” To add to the capacity issues, almost half of the animals are not ready to find their forever homes. There are currently 220 dogs, cats and other animals with CAHS but only 105 of are available for adoption. Keith said that’s where foster families have come in handy – 78 animals are currently in temporary homes. “There’s always a holding period. We find more (animals) in foster care when we have younger animals or injured animals or ill animals that take longer before they’re ready for adoption. It sort of coincides with the overall high volume,” Keith said. CAHS is now holding a promotion for cats – which they have the most of (137) – from Nov. 20 to 25. Cats over six months will have an adoption fee of $25 from $165. Rabbits are $20 from $50 until the end of the year. Keith said the Christmas season is a good time to bring pets home since most people have a few days off. However, she warns that pets should be selected by the new owners themselves rather than being brought home as gifts. This way pets don’t come as an unwanted surprise and subsequently brought back to the shelter. For more information or to become a foster home for CAHS animals visit www.cochranehumane.ca. [email protected]
